'I seldom end up where I wanted to go, but almost always end up where I need to be' – Douglas Adams

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I Won My First Short Story Contest! (A Message of Gratitude)

Last November, for the first time, I entered a short story competition desiring nothing more than to test myself and hopefully have people read my work. To my utter disbelief, I got an email telling me I was one of three finalists! And then, because Gaia wasn’t done surprising me, I won the contest.

my friend Joe managed to capture the moments when I learned I won.

One week later, I’m still genuinely shocked to have been picked a winner. The phrase “Angasa Salome, award winning writer” is taking some getting used to (don’t get me wrong, it certainly has a pretty ring to it).

When I learned that I was a finalist, I had a difficult time asking for help and I wasn’t very sure that anyone would actually be interested in my words. But they were. I got more support than I could have ever expected and I supremely thankful for the efforts of everyone who helped me.

The best surprise – better even than winning – has been sharing this experience with Tamanda Kanjaye and Kennedy Kaula. It was wonderful to meet a new fellow creative in Ken, whose beautiful poetic prose I hope I can learn for my own craft. It was beautiful to experience this Tamada, one of my closest friends (and the person who encouraged me to enter the competition in the first place!). I can’t wait to see where writing takes us.